Assistant /Associate Conservator of East Asian Painting

Yale is looking to recruit an Assistant /Associate Conservator of East Asian Painting care for the Gallery's holdings of Chinese, Korean, and Japanese paintings through a combination of preventive and interventive measures.

The Gallery is pleased to announce an opening for a full-time, two-year Assistant/Associate Conservator of East Asian Paintings. The museum’s Department of Asian Art, which continues to grow through gifts and acquisitions, currently holds nearly 2,000 examples of Chinese, Korean, and Japanese painting and calligraphy. This collection, which ranges in date from the 12th to the 20th century, represents all the major East Asian formats: hanging scrolls, hand scrolls, album leaves, fans, and screens.

About the Role

Reporting to the Susan Morse Hilles Chief Conservator, the assistant/associate conservator will carry out a condition assessment and survey of the Gallery’s East Asian paintings and, in collaboration with the curators, will establish clear conservation priorities for this collection area. The Assistant/Associate Conservator of East Asian Paintings will care for the Gallery’s holdings of Chinese, Korean, and Japanese paintings through a combination of preventive and interventive measures, in alignment with the museum’s operating plan and maintaining written and photographic records of all treatments. In consultation with the chief conservator, the incumbent will oversee all activities involved with the conservation of East Asian painting formats, including scientific analysis to inform appropriate treatment solutions.

The Assistant/Associate Conservator of East Asian Paintings will advance the general care of the collection. They will manage their personal workflow to meet established deadlines and will work collaboratively with conservation colleagues. They will participate in the planning and preparation of budgets for lab activities, exhibitions, and other projects. The incumbent will help maintain the Shared Conservation Lab at the Institute for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage (IPCH), Yale West Campus, selecting appropriate supplies and observing health and safety standards for all.

They will ensure that the studio’s practice remains aligned with current professional standards. In collaboration with curators, the Assistant/Associate Conservator of East Asian Paintings will advise on the condition of proposed loans and acquisitions and will determine the most appropriate mounts for East Asian scrolls and screens; when appropriate, the incumbent will travel to Asia to purchase mounting silks and other supplies used in the treatment of such paintings. The Assistant/Associate Conservator of East Asian Paintings will maintain working relations with affiliated organizations and institutions nationally and internationally.

They will partner with all departments at the Gallery to ensure the highest standards of collections care; will advise staff on best practices for the care, handling, display, storage, packing, and shipping of East Asian paintings; will travel for relevant research and comparative study to inform treatments; and will assist in the maintenance of the collections-management database. Collaborating with conservation scientists at IPCH, the assistant/associate conservator will undertake analytical study of collection objects to support treatments and related research.

They will stay up to date on conservation practices, fostering the department’s intellectual and technical growth. The incumbent will promote knowledge of the collection and will assist in the department’s outreach activities through public speaking and publishing to disseminate information in the field of conservation.

In addition to mentoring students, interns, and fellows, the Assistant/Associate Conservator of East Asian Paintings will have the opportunity to lead undergraduate and graduate courses on materials and techniques and the technical examination of art.

Essential Duties 

• Designs and manages conservation laboratory; establishes and schedules priorities for the treatment and preservation of objects; plans, researches and implements conservation treatments including very complex treatments on cultural property in museum, library, archives, and study collections.
• Examines the material composition and deterioration of objects in order to develop and execute appropriate conservation treatments.
• Identifies and diagnoses problems, devises and approves conservation methods which ensure the safety of the objects. Assesses and devises alternative and/or modify conservation methods to achieve desired results.
• Creates accurate written and photographic documentation for conservation examinations, treatments and other activities.
• Performs research necessary to preserve the authenticity of collections and ensure deterioration of collections is monitored and controlled.
• Reports research and significant treatments through publications, conference papers and posters.
• Assesses conservation needs of object, proper housing, physical storage, and display areas for collections and ascertains correct environmental control for preservation.
• Assists in determining conservation priorities for collections and/or individual projects and planning strategies for collection care.
• Advises on the acquisition, loan, and exhibition of collections or individual objects.
• Oversees safe use and disposal of hazardous materials in accordance with current federal, state, and local regulations and policies.
• Assists in teaching courses to undergraduate and graduate students.
• Assists in the supervision of conservation interns and fellows.
• Supervises a small staff of non-exempt employees and/or student assistants.
• May perform other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience

Master’s Degree in Art, Museum and/or Library/Archives Conservation, Materials Science, or related field and four years of conservation experience or an equivalent combination of education and demonstrated experience.

1. Self-directed with the ability to take initiative and anticipate actions needed. Ability to conceive, implement, and document conservation treatment of the highest professional standard using fine hand skills and accuracy. Excellent interpersonal skills. Ability to conduct original research, write, and communicate verbally for diverse audiences.
2. Knowledge of conservation chemistry, art and material history, contemporary conservation practice, preventative conservation principles, and documentation procedures.
3. Two years (assistant level) to five years (associate level) of conservation experience in East Asian paintings formats or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Knowledge of Chinese and/or Japanese languages is preferred. Fundamental is the knowledge of both traditional and modern techniques for conserving Asian paintings.
4. Ability to juggle multiple tasks and meet demanding deadlines among conflicting priorities. Positive attitude that supports department’s goals. Demonstrated accuracy and strong attention to detail. Superior organizational skills. Ability to work well under pressure.
5. Ability to regularly exercise discretion and independent judgment and to be a team player in active office and laboratory environments. Superior hand skills. Ability to independently evaluate a wide variety of conservation problems and develop solutions. Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and Adobe Photoshop.

Preferred Education, Experience and Skills

Master’s or postgraduate degree with a concentration on the conservation of East Asian paintings. Proven experience working in a museum environment and knowledge of museum conservation practice. Familiarity with preventive conservation methods and practices and with analytical equipment, such as spectrometers and X-ray fluorescence.

How to Apply

To apply for this role, please visit the Yale Careers Website. 

All candidates for employment will be subject to pre-employment background screening for this position, which may include motor vehicle, DOT certification, drug testing and credit checks based on the position description and job requirements. All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of the background check. For additional information on the background check requirements and process visit "Learn about background checks" under the Applicant Support Resources section of Careers on the It's Your Yale website.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the essential functions that will be required of the position and should not be construed as a declaration of specific duties and responsibilities of the particular position. Employees will be assigned specific job-related duties through their hiring departments.